“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Colossians‬ ‭2:6-7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Heavenly Father, my heart overflows with thankfulness and gratitude for Your saving grace and goodness, which You’ve generously poured over me. My heart overflows with praise for the loving, merciful, patient God that You are. Who else can say this about their “gods”? You are the One True God; Lord of Lords and King of Kings. The one who loves me in all of my messiness. The one who bends down and hears my prayers. The one who desires to know me and be near to me–to that my heart explodes in gratitude!

Your word gives us the remedy for a heart of thankfulness. I must admit, I don’t always follow this truth. Sometimes I overflow with negativity and ungratefulness. Sometimes I overflow with discontentment and complaining. Either way, it’s always a result of not doing what you’ve prescribed in this passage. Forgive me for my disobedience.

Lord, please go before me this week and help me to live out this truth. Give me the desire and focus to continually follow You, especially when I’m tempted to follow my flesh. Help me to grow my roots down into You and keep them from going stagnant. Help me to utilize the tools you’ve given me in order to build my life upon You. If I can stay the course, I know my faith will grow strong. May my life be one that exudes thankfulness and overflows onto everyone I come into contact with. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

~Anita Marie

(Downloadable: 7 verses on thankfulness)